MERION STATION, Pa. — The Villanova field hockey team fell on the road to Saint Joseph's, 4-3, on Sunday, October 18. The loss drops the 'Cats to an overall record of 8-6.
Freshman Adie Minella got the scoring going off a deflected pass by Gemma Lysaght for her fifth goal of the season. Minnella then set up Aimee Largoza for her fourth goal of the season and retook the lead for VU in the second quarter. Senior Colleen Finnan wrapped up the scoring late with her eighth goal as Villanova tried to come back in the contest. Finnan's goal marked her third straight game scoring while Minnella tallied a new career high in points with three.
The Hawks quickly got the action started in the first quarter. The team tallied two quick penalty corners as well as the first two shots of the frame. Despite the early attack, Villanova responded with a penalty corner of its own. Gemma Lysaght received the entry pass on the try and quickly found Adie Minnella, who found the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season to put VU up 1-0. Following the goal, Villanova kept pushing the pace and tallied another penalty corner that was turned away by SJU. Saint Joseph's then tallied a late shot but couldn't score to keep the lead intact for VU heading into the second.
Even with the score deficit, the Hawks went right back on the attack and scored just over one minute into the second quarter. Allison Buffinton found Erika Culp for her fifth goal of the season to push the score to 1-1. Both teams then only combined for one shot each throughout the middle of the quarter. Villanova then broke out a chance of its own with a penalty corner where a shot by Molly Zimmerman was saved. Immediately following the corner, VU went right back on the attack with Minnella once again leading the charge. The freshman found Aimee Largoza for her fourth goal of the season to retake the lead for the 'Cats, 2-1, heading into halftime.
Saint Joseph's started out hot coming out of the half, firing two early shots and two consecutive penalty corners. The first corner was turned away, but the second was converted by SJU, with Buffington scoring her first goal of the season to tie the game 2-2. Villanova then dominated the rest of the frame offensively, outshooting the Hawks five to one in addition to tallying three penalty corners. Unfortunately, two of the three chances were denied by the defense, while the final chance was initially called a goal but was taken away following a replay. Both teams entered the final frame tied 2-2.
The Hawks broke the game open at the start of the fourth, scoring two goals in the first five minutes of action. The team earned two penalty strokes and were able to convert on both opportunities. The first, scored by Milou Kluty, and the second, by Monica Piccioli, pushed the score to 4-2. Villanova continued to fight back and found a late goal off a penalty corner by Colleen Finnan. Molly Zimmerman and Maeve Boston both collected assists on the goal by Finnan. Following the score, Villanova pulled Maddi Sears looking for the extra attacker but couldn't find the equalizer in the final six minutes to give SJU the 4-3 win.
Up Next: Villanova will stay on the road for a BIG EAST contest against Providence on Friday, October 23 at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
